PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - I McKenzie
AU  - C Wurr
TI  - Diagnosing and treating attentional difficulties: a nationwide survey
AID  - 10.1136/adc.2002.023499
DP  - 2004 Oct 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 913--916
VI  - 89
IP  - 10
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/89/10/913.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/89/10/913.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child2004 Oct 01; 89
AB  - Aims: To ascertain from paediatricians and child psychiatrists their views regarding the aetiology, assessment, and diagnosis of attentional difficulties in children, and the prescribing of stimulant medication for such difficulties. Methods: Using a questionnaire devised by the authors, 465 paediatricians and 444 child psychiatrists were surveyed. Results: The overall response rate was 73%. Some 94% of child psychiatrists and 29% of paediatricians routinely dealt with attentional difficulties. Views on aetiology, classification, and diagnosis were varied. More than 60% of both groups were prepared to prescribe stimulant medication without a formal diagnosis being made. Comorbid conduct disorder and the views of other professionals and of parents have an impact on practice. Conclusions: This survey demonstrates that there is a range of approaches to attentional difficulties by both paediatricians and child psychiatrists.